Step 1

Wash and look the beans over remove any debris, bad beans, or stones. Add to a pot add 8 cups water. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Cover and turn off heat and let soak for 1 hour. Drain after an hour and rinse the beans. Add to a pot.

Step 2

While you wait peel and remove seeds from the winter squash. Save the seeds to plant or toast.

Step 3

Now that it is peeled slice and cube the squash.

Step 4

Remove the corn from the cob.

Step 5

Dice the bacon. Add the squash, beans, and corn to the broth.

Step 6

Add the spices, the wash, peel, and dice the carrots. Dice the bacon and add them to the stew. Rest of the ingredients are added now for the stew. Let simmer for 45 minutes.

Step 7

Everything is done.

Step 8

Now for the fall apart dumplings. Add all the ingredients except the hot water and cornbread mix. I had a 1/2 cup of hot water, but only used 1/4 cup. The more water I had it was easier to hold heat. Ease the water in till you use a 1/4 cup.

Step 9

Let rest 15 minutes so the baking powder and cornmeal can work keep covered. Add in the cornbread mix.

Step 10

It will tighten up just a bit. Spoon in the fall apart dumplings till you have about this much in the picture left. That's for frying. Add 2 cups of water to the stew to help it not burn or get too thick.

Step 11

Heat a skillet add the remaining mixture to the hot skillet and fry. When the bubble craters appear it's time to turn. Turn it, cover it for 3 minutes. Then just turn off the heat. Let rest in skillet covered till ready to eat. This will let it rise a bit and get done.

Step 12

Let the stew rest covered and off the heat. I added the fried dumpling to the bowl and dipped the stew on top. I hope you enjoy!